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Message Archive |
Maria's Message: Welcome to the Sellwood Bridge project web site
As the Multnomah County Commissioner for District One, my jurisdiction includes
the County bridges that span the Willamette River - from the Sauvie Island Bridge
to the Sellwood. It is my pleasure to be a part of this effort to keep you informed
and take part in the public process as we move forward with addressing the repair
or replacement of the Sellwood Bridge and the needs of the surrounding community.
When I took office in September 2001, I was immediately confronted with the task
of replacing the Sauvie Island Bridge. It was a daunting task. However, with the
work and collaboration of my office and staff, community stakeholders, state and
federal officials, and my colleagues on the Board of Commissioners, we are currently
building a new Sauvie Island bridge, due to be completed in 2008. If you visit Sauvie
Island today, you will see the results of the wonderful work in progress.
As we begin the work on the future of the Sellwood Bridge, I am confident we will
find a resolution. Much like the Sauvie Island project, it is only through collaboration
and the commitment of finding the best solution for the community that this project
will be successful.
This web site will provide you with a wealth of important information. You will
learn about the current status of the bridge, planning processes taking place, and
the many ways you can be involved. The Sellwood Bridge project will be a long process
and every step of the way I am committed to keeping the community connected and
up-to-date.
Sincerely,
Maria Rojo de Steffey
October 2006 Open House attracts over 180 people
Selected comments from the event:
“The bridge is dangerous for all users. It needs to be designed for multiple users while respecting the neighborhood’s livability and be visually attractive. All can be achieved with good design.”
“Plan for the future - traffic growth, community growth, usability and safety!”
“Please keep Sellwood/Moreland a NEIGHBORHOOD and not a thoroughfare for outlying suburbs and truck traffic. Help us preserve the livability of our unique neighborhood with a two-lane bridge.”
“Regardless of what some people think, this is a major artery connecting southeast and southwest Portland. A two-lane bridge is woefully inadequate - a four-lane bridge with adequate access from both sides in roughly the same location should take its place.”
“Bicycle and pedestrian lanes are essential for this community. Many people use the bicycle/walking paths on both sides of the river for commuting and leisure. Also, we should put trolley lines on the new bridge to connect to the new South waterfront trolley line.”
“Please keep in mind that, frequently, when people say 'I want a two lane Sellwood Bridge', what they're trying to say is that they want a liveable neighborhood with a Tacoma Street that's pedestrian friendly, cross-able and unites, not divides their neighborhood.”
“I think a three-lane bridge would be a nice compromise. As someone who commutes over the bridge, but also lives in the neighborhood and would like to see livability sustained, it would be a nice compromise to have one center lane that switched directions at heavy traffic times.”
“I would hope that we could have a design competition for (a new Sellwood Bridge). It is an incredible addition to the fabric of our city. We live in a city who's identity comes in part from it's bridges. This should be seen as an opportunity to add to that legacy.”
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The Sellwood Bridge project will be a long process
and every step of the way I am committed to keeping the community connected and
up-to-date.
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